Transfer: Philadelphia Union Acquire Indiana Vassilev From St. Louis CITY for $1M in GAM
Vassilev, a versatile midfielder with Premier League and MLS experience, joins Philadelphia ahead of the 2025 season.
Chester, Pa. — The Philadelphia Union have acquired midfielder Indiana Vassilev from St. Louis CITY in exchange for $1 million in General Allocation Money (GAM), plus an additional $250,000 if certain performance-based metrics are met. The Union will send $400,000 in GAM in 2025 and $600,000 in GAM in 2026. CITY will also receive a future sell-on and trade percentage if Vassilev is transferred from the club.
Vassilev, 24, is under contract through 2025, with an option for 2026. Last season, he earned a salary of $301,750, according to the MLSPA.
During his two seasons with St. Louis CITY, he appeared in 75 games (55 starts), scoring six goals and providing 11 assists in 4,595 minutes.
Last season with CITY, Vassilev played in 35 games (26 starts), scoring a career-high four goals and recording five assists in 2,139 minutes across all competitions.
“Indiana is an extremely versatile and hardworking player who embodies the qualities we are looking for to enhance our roster,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner. “At just 24, he brings experience from the Premier League, Major League Soccer, U.S Youth National Teams and, most recently, his first USMNT call up. His technical abilities, dedication, and potential for growth make him a valuable addition to our squad.”
Vassilev joined English Premier League side Aston Villa and played for their U18 and U21 teams from 2017 to 2021. Between both teams, he appeared in 59 games (46 starts), scoring 13 goals and assisting seven in 3,989 minutes. He made his first-team debut on January 4, 2020, against Fulham in the FA Cup, playing 10 minutes in a 2-1 Villa loss. Vassilev went on to make six total appearances for Aston Villa, all during the 2019-2020 season. The following season, he went on loan to Burton Albion (League One) and Cheltenham Town (League Two), appearing in 24 matches between the two clubs during the 2020-2021 season.
Vassilev spent the next two seasons (2021 and 2022) on loan at Inter Miami, where he appeared in 48 games (22 starts), scoring five goals and providing two assists in 2,036 minutes.
Vassilev has represented the United States at the U16 (2016), U17 (2016), U18 (2018), U20 (2019), and U23 (2023) levels. He scored five goals in 34 total youth appearances, including during the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup. He also earned his first-ever USMNT call-up in January 2025 and appeared in two international friendly matches.